Newton hasn’t missed a practice in training camp after having surgery in March to tighten loose ligaments in his ankle. But he also hasn’t been scrambling much in team drills, with Joe Webb doing most of that.

If Newton does play, it won’t be much, and Rivera admitted: “And I imagine it’d involve a lot of handing the ball off.”

Much like in Dallas, an entire plan is being built around the quarterback being healthy and productive. And until the Panthers see Newton able to be Newton, there’s still going to be some breath-holding.

Questionable O-Line. Questionable receivers. Stewart and Deangelo another year older. Greg Hardy still facing suspension. And now, 8 months after their final game, a still recovering Newton. That defense better pitch shutouts. Could the offense gel and come together to be as adequate as last year? Yeah, it could. But there is writing on the wall in Charlotte that we’re looking at some regression here…